DE JONGH, ‘TT’ APPEAL FOR PATIENCE

(At Prince of Wales Stadium)

MBABANE – About six months before facing Tunisia in a crunch 2019 AFCON qualifier, Sihlangu coach Pieter De Jongh has appealed for calm from the nation.

The Dutch born mentor said the team needed the support of everyone, especially it’s ‘12th player’ the supporters at home against North African giants on the last weekend of March next year.
He said the calamitous COSAFA Castle Cup and CHAN campaigns were nothing but learning curve for him and his team. And that they were still pretty much on course for qualifying for the 2019 continental showpiece expected to be hosted by Cameroon.

“We have changed the plan after the Zambia games and the COSAFA Cup. They were not a priority in the first place, as we were given a task to try and qualify for the first time for the AFCON finals. We drew in Niger, where a number of big teams have failed, and we have every reason to be positive going forward,” he said during yesterday’s Media Day held at the Prince of Wales Stadium where they held their afternoon session.
Sihlangu is currently in 10-day camp at the FA Technical Centre in Lobamba where De Jongh who has called up a 29-member squad. He said the training focused much on tactics, techniques and psychological being of the players.

Samkelo ‘Rheo’ Lushaba, who suffered a fracture about 10 days ago in 2-all draw between his Young Buffaloes and Manzini Wanderers, has been excused alongside Sandile Hlatshwako who withdrew on Thursday from an ankle injury.
However, about seven players left camp but De Jongh opted not to comment on their whereabouts save for submitting his report to his superiors at Sigwaca House.

The coach said he was focused on getting the job done and hailed the FA for its support and the Sihlangu Task team headed by Victor Maradona Gamedze for ensuring that he got all the assistance he needed.
“The camp went well, the old and new players gelled well and the youngsters learnt how things are done at this level. They are quality players who are the future of the team,” he said.
He said while he would have loved to have a friendly match, the team has enough time to prepare for the next March tie.

Team captain Tony Tsabedze echoed by back again senior players Barry Steenkamp and Nhlanhla Gwebu concurred with the coach that the team was capable of beating Tunisia at home.
“The spirit is high and the players are adapting well to the coach’s philosophy. The training has been good and we call for patience from the nation as forge a new era,” he said.

FA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said the camp was progressing, well but when quizzed on the absent players he said they would wait for the report from the technical bench as per the procedure.

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